If an older version of ibaPDA is already installed, you can simply install the new one. The older version of the program is automatically removed after a prompt and confirmation. The settings and configurations chosen with the older version are preserved.

If you have a ZIP file of the new ibaPDA version (e.g., after a download), unzip it into a (temporary) folder of your choice.

You will find the file in the....\01_iba_Software\ibaPDA" directory of the "iba Software & Manuals" data medium.


You can also find the latest versions of the iba software here:


ibaPDA : http://pda.iba-benelux.be
ibaAnalyzer : http://analyzer.iba-benelux.be
ibaHD-Server: http://hd.iba-benelux.be
ibaDatCoordinator: http://datco.iba-benelux.be
ibaCapture: http://capture.iba-benelux.be/ibaCapture
ibaCapture-ScreenCam: http://capture.iba-benelux.be/ibaCapture-ScreenCam
ibaManagementStudio : http://ms.iba-benelux.be
ibaDaVIS : http://davis.iba-benelux.be


Execute the ibaPDASetup_v8.exe file, e.g., by double-clicking on the filename in Windows Explorer. Follow the instructions of the installation wizard.

1. Accept the license agreement.

2. Select the installation folder. (on first installation only)

3. Select the components to be installed:

  • ibaPDA Client

    The client component must always be installed unless there is another computer in the network on which a client is installed and which has access to the local computer. Without a client, the server cannot be configured and signals cannot be viewed online. A local installation of the client on the server PC is recommended for being independent from the network.

  • ibaPDA ActiveX Control

    You only need to select this component if, on the computer, ibaPDA is to be embedded as an ActiveX control in another application, like in an HMI application. See chapter Setting up the ibaPDA client as an ActiveX control

  • ibaPDA Server

    The server component must be installed if the measurement data is physically acquired and processed with the relevant computer locally.

    • ibaFOB-D network card

      This option is enabled for the server installation by default. The ibaFOB-D network drivers are required if the 32Mbit Flex protocol is to be used to connect to iba peripheral devices. Communication to the devices is carried out with an Ethernet protocol via the ibaNet fiber-optic connection. If you do not use ibaFOB-D cards or the 32 Mbit-Flex protocol, you can disable the installation of this driver. The drivers can be installed at any time. Note Hardware such as ibaFOB-cards is not supported by an ibaPDA-PLC-Xplorer license. The installation of the card drivers is not required but won’t harm either.

    • Driver for iba-external hardware

      This option is enabled for the server installation by default. ibaPDA provides the driver for a number of external PC cards, such as reflective memory or DGM200P. If you are not using external cards, then you can disable the installation of this driver. The drivers can be installed at any time. Note: Hardware such as ibaFOB-cards is not supported by an ibaPDA-PLC-Xplorer license. The installation of the card drivers is not required but won’t harm either.

  • ibaPDA-S7-Xplorer proxy

    You only need to select this component if you want to access a SIMATIC CPU with the S7-Xplorer interface by PC/CP without STEP 7 or SIMATIC Net being installed on the ibaPDA computer. See chapter ibaPDA-S7-Xplorer Proxy for PC/CP interface for more information.

  • ibaDongleViewer

    This is not a component of ibaPDA, but rather a separate tool you can use to easily query the data of the license dongle (Marx Dongle only, no WIBU Dongle). It is offered for installation for all iba programs, is optional and only needs to be installed on a computer once.

  • ibaManagementStudio Agent

    If there is an ibaManagementStudio server available in the network you can manage this ibaPDA installation by ibaManagementStudio. Therefore, you have to enable this option in order to install the ibaManagementStudio agent. If this program is already installed on your computer you can disable this option.

4. Check the EUP information. The EUP date should be in the future (green). In case you are still using an USB-dongle of "Marx CryptoBox Smarx" type and if a DongleUpgrade for this license is available you may enable the option “Search for license updates”. If you enable this option and click on <Next>, the dialog of the ibaLicenseUpdater opens. Enter or browse the path where the DongleUpgrade files are stored. If a DongleUpgrade for this license is available in the path, first the DongleUpgrade process gets started before the installation continues. This setting (checkmark and path) will be stored and applied to upcoming installations.

5. If you are using the software "WIBU Codemeter Runtime" for licensing, the installer verifies the version of this software. If its version is outdated the installer offers to update this software. Please note, that other iba applications may use this software for licensing as well and be subject to stop and restart in the course of updating. If you you don't want to update the software at this point, just uncheck this option.

6. In the next step select further actions if needed.

7. Select the user account (on first installation only).

Use the user account to determine the user rights for the service process. To function properly, ibaPDA requires administrator rights, regardless of which user you choose. The default account is the local system account.

  • Local system account (default)

    The local system account has administrator rights for the local computer. This is sufficient if the server only requires local access.

  • This user account

    Select this option if you want to run the ibaPDA service (server) under a specific user account. Possible reasons for this are e.g. IT security aspects or the use of the OPC DA server.

8. Select the mode the program should be executed in (on first installation only).

ibaPDA (server) can run in 64-bit-mode or 32-bit-mode. A few functions are not available in 64-bit-mode. Consider the notes in the dialog in order to select the correct mode. This option is offered only for the first or a new installation. In case of updates the same mode like for the previous installation will be used.

9. Click <Next>. The installation process starts and the drivers are installed.

10. Then click <Finish> in order to finish the installation.

Note on installation of CodeMeter Runtime

iba software products use the WIBU licensing system to license certain features. The WIBU license containers are managed by the CodeMeter Runtime software which must be installed on the respective computer.

When installing the iba software the installer checks for existing CodeMeter Runtime installation and timeliness of version.

Along with an interactive installation (standard installation) a dialog opens which you can use to prevent or postpone the installation of CodeMeter Runtime. In case an update is offered, you have the option to prevent stopping other iba programs. This is relevant if other iba programs already use CodeMeter Runtime.

Along with a "silent" installation started by commandline, CodeMeter Runtime is only installed, if no previous installation exists. In such case, no running program on this computer uses this software. Updates of CodeMeter Runtime will not be initiated at all in "silent" mode.